England manager Thomas Tuchel believes Arsenal and Liverpool will have a significant edge in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign due to their absence from the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Speaking ahead of the summer tournament, Tuchel highlighted the potential toll the competition could take on clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea, who are set to participate.
The revamped Club World Cup will be held during the summer and will see Chelsea and Manchester City play at least three group-stage matches, with the possibility of playing up to seven games should they reach the final. For players already coming off a demanding domestic and European season, the additional fixtures raise concerns about fatigue and recovery.
Tuchel expressed admiration for the idea behind the tournament, calling it a unique and exciting experience for the players involved. However, he was also candid about the physical and mental strain it could cause, warning that the implications may not become fully apparent until deep into the following Premier League season.
“I think the Club World Cup will have a huge impact,” said Tuchel. “It will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge advantage next season, simply because they won’t be there. The players involved in the tournament will return to their clubs with a much shorter recovery window.”
The England boss also touched on the broader consequences of fixture congestion, particularly with the 2026 World Cup approaching. According to Tuchel, managing player workload and maintaining freshness will be more crucial than ever both for club and country. He noted that players already appeared fatigued when they joined England’s training camp, a sign of how grueling the modern football calendar has become.
With Arsenal and Liverpool not participating in the Club World Cup, Tuchel believes they could enjoy a much smoother start to the Premier League season. The additional rest and uninterrupted pre-season preparation may allow them to build momentum early on a potentially decisive factor in a title race that is expected to be as intense as ever.
Both clubs finished in the top two during the 2024/25 Premier League season and will be looking to capitalize on any advantage as they aim to dethrone Manchester City. Arsenal’s young, dynamic squad under Mikel Arteta has shown impressive consistency, while Liverpool, under Arne Slot, are expected to continue evolving with a more fluid tactical setup.
By contrast, Chelsea and Manchester City could find themselves playing catch-up. With key players likely to feature prominently in the summer tournament, there are questions about how quickly they will return to peak fitness. Fatigue, injuries, and limited pre-season time are all risks that could affect their ability to hit the ground running in August.
For Tuchel, the coming year will be a delicate balancing act. As England manager, he is also keeping a close eye on the physical condition of national team players who are set to compete in both the Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. His comments underline the growing concerns among national team coaches about the ever-expanding football calendar and its effects on player welfare.
As the countdown to the new season begins, Arsenal and Liverpool’s exclusion from the summer tournament may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. While Chelsea and Manchester City chase global glory, their rivals may be quietly laying the groundwork for a domestic campaign that rewards rest, recovery, and readiness.
